Excellence in Mississippi gives one student each year a scholarship of $1,000 to each of the four predominant universities in Mississippi: Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Mississippi and Jackson State University.
Founded 18 years ago, Excellence in Mississippi describes themselves as “a group of organizations that meet each year to provide a forum for the exchange of information concerning ways in which organizations in Mississippi can improve the quality of their products/service and life in their organizations.”
Dr. Frank Wiebe, associate professor of management and marketing at the University of Mississippi, is a member of that group who wants to put money back into the state.
“We try to encourage kids to stay in the state.” Wiebe said.
He continued to say that many college graduates from Mississippi leave the state, and one of the purposes for this scholarship is to give graduates the incentive to stay.
Wiebe explained the historical significance for giving scholarships to the four schools. When Excellence in Mississippi started, these schools were the four institutions that correlated with the program.
The scholarship is open to sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue careers by improving the quality of products, service or work life in the state and major in physical science, accounting, engineering or technology, the physical sciences and mathematics.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must have a minimum 2.75 grade point average.
Interested students can obtain a copy of the application form from MSU. Along with the application form, students must submit an official copy of his/her current academic transcript, three letters of reference and an essay in which students should describe their education and career plans in their essay. All materials must arrive to the committee by May 1.
The board of directors reviews each of the students to make their decision and awards the scholarships as a committee.
“We want to keep our best people,” Wiebe said. “The students’ essays have a lot of impact.”
The students who receive the scholarships will be expected to attend the Excellence in Mississippi conference. The conference will be held in Jackson, Miss., where the students will attend workshops involving quality enjoy a luncheon, and after the luncheon, the governor will give the state quality award.
For more information about the scholarship, visit www.exinms.org.